The Eisenkrone

5 via ferratas and 6 summits in 3 days at Wilden Kaiser

5 via ferratas and 6 summits in 3 days at Wilden Kaiser

From Going, go in the southern direction so as to reach Jubiläumssteig and Klettersteig Klamml and on to Gruttenhütte. On the next day, you will reach Gamsängersteig on Ellmau Halt, which happens to be the highest summit of the Kaiser mountain range. Via Gamshalt and Kleine Halt and then Kaiserschützen Klettersteig you reach Hans-Berger-Haus or Anton-Karg-Haus to the north. The last day of the tour takes you over the long Kufsteiner Klettersteig and the summit of the Unteren Gamskarköpfl, the Sonneck and finally over the Kopfkraxen to return to the south side towards Scheffau. The free Hiker and Bathing bus “Kaiserjet” returns you to the starting point of Going Badesee. The tour is suitable only for hikers with mountaineering experience!

Time period: End July to beginning of October Technical Requirements: Difficult, Alpine Route (Bergerfahrenheit, head from heights and surefootedness is absolutely necessary!) Conditional Requirement : High The hike trail maps (1:25,000) are available at the information offices in Ellmau, Going, Scheffau and Söll.

The three-day tour starts at Going Badesee (750 m). Free parking is available here. The forest path 817 leads from Graspoint Niederalm (1.075m) to Oberen Regalm (1,313m - only open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays). In the cosy huts under the south face of Regalpspitze , a special Breakfast on the Mountain is offered every "dry" Wednesday – Bio buffet with fresh, homemade farmhouse bread and sausage from the farmer's own cow. We now proceed to the promising Wilder-Kaiser route 827 that climbs steeply through meadows on to the Brennenden Palven (also known as Baumgartnerköpfl, 1,572m). Fantastic views of the rocky massif of the Wilder Kaiser in the north and the Kitzbühel Alps and Hohen Tauern in the south are the rewards for the climb. You will find the famous climber’s grave wherein "Koasamuch" had been buried. The famous mountaineer of "Edelweißgilde" Much Wieser, born on 1888 in Scheffau, came up with the idea of summit book about the Kaiser Mountains. From the Brennenden Palven continue to walk on the Wilder Kaiser route 823, also known as Much-Wieser route, through pines and some scree slopes in the direction of Ellmau gate. Here, few exposed terrains need to be negotiated. At the junction to Ellmau gate, under the south-east face of Vorderen Karlsspitze, turn towards Jubiläumssteig. The climb is slightly exposed, but can be managed using wire ropes. It meanders over smooth rocks and a wide range of imposing cliffs along a prominent arch of rock and then gently ascends and descends to a notch. This can be reached using a ladder which is secured by cables. Through a gorge you reach the exit of the Jubiläumssteiges with the help of rock-cut steps and few iron pins. At the fork, the path turn south-east on the 824 trail. After a short descent through the Klamml you reach the entry point to the new via ferrata constructed in 2013. The lower portion has degree of difficulty of B/C and the upper portion which can be reached via a spectacular rope bridge has degree of difficulty of C/D. Gruttenhütte is only few minutes away from the end of the via ferratas. (Klettersteig Klamml serves as a good yardstick. Only those who come this far without any problem can continue the rest of the tour as planned.) Located in a rocky hillside, Gruttenhütte (1620 m) was constructed in 1899 and has the highest situated huts (in Wilden Kasier) with beautiful sunny terraces. It is located directly at the foot of the Ellmau Halt (at 2344 meters, the highest summit of Wilden Kaiser) and hence makes it an optimal starting point for climbing the Ellmau Halt via Gamsängersteig the next day. Especially popular is the fresh pork roast in wood-fired oven! Note: Ackerlhütte – Opened only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays in summer. Only beverages served! Obere Regalm - Open to the public in summer on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during fair weather only.

Day two begins with the ascent to Hochgrubach; there the Gamsängersteig starts at Ellmau Halt (2,344m). The trail is rated B/C, and in a somewhat zigzag manner leads directly to the highest Kaiser summit. What will remain forever in memory is the crossing of the Jagerwand with its 74 stirrups as well as the exposed slab wall in the upper portion. After a good rest at the summit with the panoramic view the long descent through the next via ferrata begins. The Kaiserschützen Klettersteig (Route no. 820) is a long but a beautiful scenic climb with degree of difficulty of B/C. The trail begins just below the summit and leads in a north-westernly direction to a large hollow between Ellmauer Halt and Gamshalt. Anyone who has time and the inclination can additionally climb either the Gamshalt (2,291m) and/or the Kleine Halt (2,116m). From Kleinen Halt you hike further up to the Oberen Scharlinger Boden and then trek on the 813 path, surrounded by arches of rocks, up to Hans-Berger-Haus or 20 minutes later to the Anton-Karg-Haus. After this long day you can dip your feet in the cold water of Kaiserbach and end the day on the sunny terrace.

Einkehrmöglichkeit:

The third day starts with the ascent to Kufsteiner Klettersteig. At first follow Bettlersteig 827 to the junction of Güttlersteiges 821. Now move in southern direction and then turn to the left at Wegweiser Klettersteig. In a few minutes you will reach the ascent of the via ferrata. The difficulties primarily lie between A and C, in some areas in D. Because of the height, the via ferrata should not be underestimated. The highlight of the climb, after a very steep middle section, is an exposed crossing directly under the summit of the Unteren Gamskarköpfels (1,975m), where you can find the exit. From the summit of the Unteren Gamskarköpfls you continue the hike back on Güttlersteig 821 and within approximately one hour you reach Sonneck (2,260m). A rewarding fantastic view awaits you at this summit. In the south the glacial peaks of the Alpine divide glow whereas in the north the Chiemsee shimmers. On a clear day you can even see as far as Munich. The south-facing descent leads from the Kopfkraxen on to Wiesberg and then down into the valley at the foot of the sun stone to the Kaiser-Hochalm (not opened). Continue on Adlerweg 821, 823 up to the junction to the south and via Kaiserniederalm you reach the cosy Hinterschießlingalm. After a rest, you can enjoy the homemade products of the farmers, hike through the fascinating Rehbachklamm towards Scheffau, the final destination of the thee-day adventure of Wilden Kaiser. The free Hiker and Bathing bus “Kaiserjet” returns you to the starting point of Going Badesee.